James Gurney

This daily weblog by Dinotopia creator James Gurney is for illustrators, plein-air painters, sketchers, comic artists, animators, art students, and writers. You'll find practical studio tips, insights into the making of the Dinotopia books, and first-hand reports from art schools and museums.

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or by email:gurneyjourney (at) gmail.comSorry, I can't give personal art advice or portfolio reviews. If you can, it's best to ask art questions in the blog comments.

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All images and text are copyright 2015 James Gurney and/or their respective owners. Dinotopia is a registered trademark of James Gurney. For use of text or images in traditional print media or for any commercial licensing rights, please email me for permission.

However, you can quote images or text without asking permission on your educational or non-commercial blog, website, or Facebook page as long as you give me credit and provide a link back. Students and teachers can also quote images or text for their non-commercial school activity. It's also OK to do an artistic copy of my paintings as a study exercise without asking permission.

Oddly enough I'm very familiar with the artist that drew that comic cover. So since Ive been following his art carreer for about six or seven years now and knew he had a blog I decided to see if he had posted anything about this. He actually talked about it very plainly on his blog making no effort to his inspiration from Dinotopia. See for yourself... Go to: dustinweaver.blogspot.com

Keith, I'm flattered that he was inspired by Dinotopia, but the problem is that he using recognizably Dinotopian elements for a separate Disney/Marvel IP. The reason that it's a problem is not just monetary; it confuses people into thinking they're entering the Dinotopia universe--he admits to using Bix from Dinotopia. Satire is fine, and non-commercial fan art is fine, but it's not OK to use characters and elements from one IP in another when money is changing hands.

I agree that it is crossing a line. Perhaps if the characters were at least colored differently.., I never said I thought it was ok. I was just stating what I saw. Honestly I can't help but wonder if he has unknowingly opened pandora's box. This is an awkward situation he has put both of you in. Good luck with all that. :/